Clearing the Clutter: A Digital and Personal Reset
Well, that lasted…
I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a few years now, and this finally seems like the right time to take action.
I’ve always been deeply passionate about web design and building modern, dynamic websites for people. I’ve always found it fun - even in those moments when I wanted to tear my hair out over it. Now that my 30th birthday is this week, I’ve taken some time to reflect on what I’ve built (literally).
To be honest, web design has always been a passion project. No matter how I ended up in the depths of web development, it’s something I turn to when I need a break. That’s how this whole website came together over Easter!
But now, looking back - not just at web design but at my life in general - I realize there are commitments, and people, that I need to let go of. Some relationships have naturally run their course, while others were never meant to take the path they did in the first place. Keeping certain people around has only drained my energy, and in some cases, they’ve been outright toxic to have in my life. It’s time to make the conscious choice to step away - just because I'm done giving my time and energy to people who have never deserved it in the first place. Normally, this kind of reflection might signal a midlife crisis for a man my age, but that’s not the case here. I’m not writing this to announce that I’m about to jump into every harebrained scheme or viral trend, nor am I declaring an intent to become a social recluse. This post is about something better - something I need to get off my chest once and for all.
I started getting into web design around sixteen years ago. At one point, I was juggling up to six websites at once - not including my own sites, my portfolio, Anything But IE (my blog site), or anything I created at a hackathon. Today, I still maintain two core websites for other people, but I’ve felt locked into them - and not in a good way.
Starting July 1st, all ongoing web design projects will enter their “Sunsetting Phase”. This means that in their next big phase, I will slowly and eventually withdraw my involvement. While I’ll still be available for consulting, that’s not something I’m willing or offering to everyone I’ve worked with. Alongside stepping back from web projects, I also intend to distance myself from certain friendships - especially those that have become one-sided, draining, or outright damaging. Whether it’s the feeling of having to force a conversation, being treated like an afterthought, or only being contacted when someone wants something, I’ve recognized that some relationships aren’t worth holding onto. This isn’t about resentment - it’s about finally prioritizing my own well-being.
Now, I’m not saying I’m done with web design. Far from it! This current website was hastily thrown together, and now I’m paying the price for it. Seriously, what in the ADHD possessed me to pay for a Squarespace website? Given all my financial commitments, it was a reckless expense. My new site will be built using HTML, Bootstrap, and a few old friends along the way (JavaScript being one of them). It’ll have similar - if not identical - features, but at a fraction of the cost. The new site launches on July 1st: new website, new me, and all that.
What’s next?
Well, my existing partners will be informed today - whether directly or simply by reading this blog post (inconsiderate, I know!). Given the sacrifices that this decision requires, I hope those who receive this blog post instead of a personal message understand. I’d like to say it’s nothing personal - but if I’m being honest, it probably is.
After my birthday, I’ll be working toward my July 1st goal. Anything hosted on my servers - or servers I pay for - will be permanently taken offline. My personal sites will move to my private servers to cut costs. Any projects that were mid-redesign may need to reset and restart without me. I know the church website will remain on my plate for another nine months - it’s a huge job, and migrating everything won’t be quick or easy. There’s one site I haven’t publicly mentioned; that website will be redesigned and relaunched on a new web host as a static HTML site with little to no updates required (I might be nice and update the copyright date once a year).
It’s strange to say, but I can’t wait to get this burden off me - once and for all…
The Migration Process
After a year of big changes: marriage, a name change, and the end of my NPQLT. I’ve started migrating every part of my digital life. From leaving the Apple ecosystem to rebuilding my online presence under mrlyall.co.uk, this post dives into what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it’s time for the Davis identity to be gracefully relegated. Same me, just a little more Lyall-logical.
Marking the Milestone: Mastering the Computing Measure
Note to self: I really need to post here more often! It’s been a whirlwind since my last update. Between chasing rapid grade improvements for our Year 11s, general OFSTED prep, onboarding a new team member, and—yes—rewriting the Key Stage 3 curriculum (again), I’ve completely lost track of time.
It's Been A While...
A lot has changed since my last ramble on here. First off, I have finally rid myself of that dark and questionnable realm that is Twittter (I will call it that until Elon finally gives up his X fettish). I left mainly because I planned to do it years back but never fully committed.